John Barton
John Barton
poems
To me many short poems read and write like beginnings that simply whet my appetite; I want to get over that.
allow disregard good prejudices readers
Some readers allow their prejudices to blind them. A good reader knows how to disregard inappropriate responses.
connect editor intended literary
A literary journal is intended to connect writer with reader; the role of the editor is to mediate.
agent poetry reader uses
An experienced reader uses the poem as an agent of inquiry. This makes poetry very exciting, unstable, and interactive.
four game past power running trouble
We have had trouble with the power running game the past four weeks,
handle kid surprised
We anticipated it. We were not surprised by it. We were set up to handle the fake, but the kid made a play. He is a playmaker.
ford red silver smashed toyota
In the first accident, the silver Toyota Tundra smashed into the back of the red Ford truck, probably because of the smoke.
desired poetry views
If poetry alters the way in which the reader views the world, then it has had its desired effect.
came effect form poetry spells
In the past, poetry came in the form of spells and chants used to effect change.
shock
I never yelled, never screamed. I was in shock that it was still going on.
french hypothesis influence joke struggle
How does any place influence one's poetry? Sometimes I joke that Hypothesis is about an Alberta boy's struggle to have French boyfriends.
brought conditions consider elements experiment interact number poem test
I consider a poem to be a kind of experiment where a number of elements are brought together under test conditions to see how they will interact to create meaning or relevance.
belong close community fact lives poets
The community of poets I belong to is not as close as it used to be, if only for the fact that our lives have become busier: jobs, children, and the like.
build critical greatest help poems publishing thoughtful
The greatest satisfaction comes from publishing interesting poems and well written, thoughtful critical material, and to help build a community.